Author: yoann besnard

Nissan releases teasers of the next Maxima
Nissan has released teasers of the next-generation Maxima that the carmaker will unveil this week at the New York Auto Show.
Details remain scarce on the new model and the 4DSC moniker won’t give a clue. It might mean 4-Door Sports Car or anything else. The Four Door Sports Car logo refers to the third-generation Maxima, which bore a similar sticker and prided itself on its sporty performance.
What’s interesting about the next Maxima is the direction taken by the company to differentiate the new saloon from its less expensive sister, the Altima. Despite a lower price the 3.5-litre powered Altima is more powerful by 15bhp than the 3.5-litre Maxima. It is time to the Maxima to re-establish the order and the car might feature the VQ37VHR seen on the Infiniti.
March 17, 2008
Alfa Romeo unveils the Mi.To
Ahead of the schedule, Alfa Romeo has released the first official pictures of the long-awaited baby Alfa called Mi.To.
With this new model, Alfa Romeo wants to increase its global sales by adding around more than 100,000 Mi.To per year to the current production. If the Mi.To doesn’t meet success, the company’s future might be shadowed as Sergio Marchionne wants the brand to come back to profit by 2010.
Intended to take on the established Mini, the Mi.To plans to rely on its appealing design to conquer potential customers. The Mi.To takes its styling cues from the 8C Competizione: the shape of the unframed side windows, the three-lobed motif that distinguishes the front bumper, the shape of the headlights and the LED tail lights. Without a doubt, the new small Alfa brings the Italian touch to the masses.
At 4.06 metres long, 1.44 metres high and 1.72 metres wide, the Mi.To is longer and wider, but lower than the Grande Punto on which it is based. With the Fiat model, the new Alfa will also share its engine range, turbocharged petrol and diesel engines spanning 90-155bhp. Alfa romeo confirms that higher powered versions will be launched later.
The Mi.To will feature the company’s DNA system. This driver-operated system acts directly on the engine, brakes, steering, suspension and gearbox, allowing three different vehicle behaviour modes based on the driving style best suited to the situation or the customer’s wishes: sporting (Dynamic), town driving (Normal), maximum safety even in difficult grip conditions (All-Weather).
The baby Alfa will go on sale in Italy this summer, but will arrive on our shores only early next year.
March 17, 2008
First official pictures of the new Hyundai Coupé
Here are the first official pictures of the eagerly-awaited Hyundai Genesis coupé that the carmaker will launch at the New York Auto Show in a few weeks.
The coupé’s overall shape had been unveiled under the form of a concept car at the latest Los Angeles Auto Show in last November. As predicted, the production verison is close to the concept car and is a reminiscent of the Infiniti G37 coupé.
Despite replacing the current Coupé SIII, the next-generation will move upmarket by growing in size and featuring more powerful engines. At 4,666 mm, the new Coupé will be 271 mm longer than the current model. The coupé will be available with two engines, a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4 cylinder unit with a power output of 215bhp and a 3.8-litre V6 delivering over 300bhp.
Final spec remains unknown but it is believed that the next-generation Hyundai Coupé will be more expensive. In the US, it is estimated to start at $19,900/£9.850 for the 4-cylinder model and $25,900/£12,850 for the V6 version.
March 17, 2008
Dacia’s employees on strike
Dacia’s employees went on strike for two hours on Friday to press demands for a pay rise.
We wonder whether French methods have been transferred to Romania as Dacia is owned by Renault. The union representatives said "Negotiations with the management have so far proven totally unproductive … They offered us a 9 percent rise overall" while they asked for almost 50%.
Dacia workers earn around 1,070 lei/£221 as basic salary on average a month, pre-tax. The union asks for a 550 lei/£114 pay rise and bonuses rise. If Dacia executives don’t increase the bonuses, the union representatives have announced to go on strike from March 24th.
Last year, Dacia delivered 230,000 vehicles,. a 17.6% increase over 2006. The carmaker plans to build 400,000 cars in 2009.
March 17, 2008
Kia Soul ahead of schedule
Kia has just unveiled its Kia Soul concept cars at Geneva that pictures of the production version are emerging on the Internet.
The Korean carmaker planned to unveil the production version at the next Paris Motor Show in October, but pictures of the upcoming model have emerged on the Internet. As planned, the production version is close to the three concept cars seen at Geneva. The design tries to combine the best of two worlds, minivan and SUV, but the result looks like more of a combination of a Saab concept car and a Scion xB. At least, the carmaker tries to innovate.
Due to be sold in the US, the Soul will compete with the Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix. In Europe, the Kia’s crossover will fight with the upcoming Toyota Urban Cruiser and the Nissan Qashqai.
March 17, 2008
Kia Soul ahead of schedule
Kia has just unveiled its Kia Soul concept cars at Geneva that pictures of the production version are emerging on the Internet.
The Korean carmaker planned to unveil the production version at the next Paris Motor Show in October, but pictures of the upcoming model have emerged on the Internet. As planned, the production version is close to the three concept cars seen at Geneva. The design tries to combine the best of two worlds, minivan and SUV, but the result looks like more of a combination of a Saab concept car and a Scion xB. At least, Kia tries to innovate.
Due to be sold in the US, the Soul will compete with the Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix. In Europe, the Kia’s crossover will fight with the upcoming Toyota Urban Cruiser and the Nissan Qashqai.
March 17, 2008
Next-generation Z4 to feature a folding roof
According to company sources, BMW will unveil the next-generation Z4 next year. The next Z4 will be larger and more expensive than the current model.
The second-generation will be BMW’s serious attempt to increase its market share on the roadster segment as the current Z4 sales result suffers from a fierce competition. Like the MX-5 did two years ago, the next Z4 will replace its soft top a folding roof. The security and reliability offered by the folding roof achieved to convince the company’s executive to adopt it despite disadvantages such as increased weight and reduced storage space.
The future Z4 will grow in size and in price, leaving room for a a rumoured smaller roadster, called Z5 and based on the 1-series compact model. It is rumoured that a M version will be offered but like the former Z3M, it won’t get the latest M3 engine. Instead, the Z4 M will likely be powered by the twin-turbcharged 3.0-litre inline six from the 335i. The engine’s power output would be boosted to 350bhp.
March 17, 2008
Nissan 370Z rendering
Here is a rendering of the next-generation Z which will be called 370Z in Europe.
The Japanese car magazine Best Car has published a rendering of the expected 370Z in its latest issue. Codenamed C53D, the next-generation Z is expected to feature the 3.7-litre engine seen in the Infiniti G37 which as a power output of 330bhp. Under the Z bonnet, it will likely deliver more than 330bhp. Between the 330bhp of the Infiniti G37 and the 473bhp of the GT-R, there would be room for a 390-400bhp powered Z coupé. It would definitely help the carmaker to haunt the Porsche Cayman.
In December of 2006, Nissan product planning VP Larry Dominique said the next-generation Z would "have considerably more performance than the current model and give a visual stimulus beyond today’s Z." The car is expected to be launched at the next Paris Motor Show. However, Los Angeles Auto Show might also be preferred.
March 17, 2008
Mercedes unveils facelifted ML
Media attention has been focused on the V12-diesel-powered Q7 for the last two weeks. Mercedes has counter attacked by unveiling a revamped ML less than three years after its launch.
The facelift was less than expected and no spy photographers had spotted the SUV during testing. The main changes are on the outside with a new bumper as well as headlamps with a pronounced step in the lower edge. The lower-set radiator also grows in size. The new radiator grille is more aggressive with its three black louvres and its chrome highlights and can feature a silver look with chrome highlights as an option. At the rear, The bumper with integrated reflectors has also been restyled.On the inside, the main visual change will be the new four-spoke leather multifunction steering wheel. The seats are redesigned to be sportier.
The facelifted ML gets an equipment upgrade. The German SUV features hands-free system based on Bluetooth technology, and an aux-in connection for mobile audio devices such as an iPod. On request there is also a new Media Interface, which can connect an external music device with the SUV’s onboard electronics and control system, enabling music tracks to be shown in the instrument cluster and the colour display in the centre console, and conveniently accessed using the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel. At the same time, the audio device’s battery is also charged. Rear-seat passengers also have the option of a new entertainment system with two large 8-inch screens, a centrally integrated DVD player, two sets of wireless headphones for greater freedom of movement as well as two remote controls.
The ML keeps its current engines, V6 and V8, ranging from 190 to 388bhp, but gets new alloy wheels. 19-inch alloy wheels are now standard on the V8 versions.
Sold apart in the range, the ML 63 AMG also evolves and gets the new front and rear bumpers. There is also a new AMG-specific radiator grille with high-gloss black painted louvres. The engine is the 507bhp 6.3-litre V8 unit. If you’re not happy with the 295/40 R 20 tyres, you can still choose 295/35 R 21 units with 21-inch wheels in the option list.
March 17, 2008
Skoda announces 2007 results
2007 was a good year for Skoda which announced record-breaking results thanks to the success met by the Fabia launched last year.
The carmaker delivered a total of 630,032 vehicles in 2007. The Skoda Octavia is the company’s best-selling model with 237,422 vehicles, up by 18.1% on the prior year. The Fabia recorded 232,890 deliveries while the derived Roomster scored good results with 65,727 vehicles. The outgoing Superb was delivered to 20,530 customers. With the new Superb unveiled at Geneva and the Fabia available on all European markets, Skoda will likely announce a record year for 2008.
Globally, the carmaker remains a small player in Europe as it owns a 2.2% market share despite a 8.9% increase on a stagnated market. The carmaker sold a total of 327,322 vehicles in Western Europe. Germany is its first market with 112,452 delivered vehicles in 2007 while the Czech Republic was delivered 66,806 vehicles. Eastern Europe grew by 33.9% to 95,032 vehicles while the Asia/Pacific region grew by an astonishing 78.7 % to 65,295 vehicles.
March 17, 2008